Zack Wheeler gave Citizens Bank Park a first-inning show Tuesday night, punching out the Brewers in order and collecting the 2,000th strikeout of his Major League career when Brice Turang went down swinging. For a Phillies club pushing toward October, the milestone came with the familiar look of a frontline starter setting the tone.
A milestone inning at The Bank
Wheeler, 36, became the 96th pitcher in MLB history to reach 2,000 career strikeouts. He did not stop at the round number, either. The right-hander opened the game by fanning seven consecutive Milwaukee hitters, establishing a new Phillies single-game opening streak record.
- Wheeler struck out the side in the first inning.
- Turang was his 2,000th career strikeout.
- His seven straight strikeouts to begin the game surpassed the Phillies mark of six.
- Brandon Duckworth had held the previous club record since 2002.
The night added another line to Wheeler’s already substantial Philadelphia résumé. Since arriving as a free-agent signing, he has developed into one of the most important starters in franchise history, and this was another reminder of the swing-and-miss stuff that has carried him through his Phillies tenure.
Wheeler and Nola make club history
Wheeler’s milestone also put him alongside his longtime rotation mate, Aaron Nola. Nola reached 2,000 strikeouts earlier this season, making the Phillies only the second team to have two teammates reach that career total in the same year.
- Zack Wheeler: 2,000 career strikeouts on Tuesday against Milwaukee.
- Aaron Nola: Reached 2,000 strikeouts earlier in the season.
- Previous teammates to do it in one season: Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy with the 2014 Giants.
For Philadelphia, the achievement underscores the durability of a rotation that has leaned heavily on Wheeler and Nola in recent seasons. Both have remained central figures as the club tries to position itself for another postseason run.
October decision could be next
Wheeler entered the Brewers start at 13-5 with a 2.99 ERA. Tuesday could prove to be his final regular-season outing, though his turn would otherwise line up for Sunday’s season finale against the Rays.
That decision may depend on the Phillies’ playoff status. If they have secured a postseason berth before Sunday, the club could elect to keep Wheeler fresh for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday.
Either way, Wheeler left another clear marker on the season: 2,000 strikeouts for his career, seven straight to start one night in Philadelphia, and a possible October assignment waiting around the corner.
